After decades of failed efforts to provide Guam's World War II survivors reparations they deserve from the federal government, a bipartisan group of advocates decided to take the matter to the court. The advocates announced on Monday that they will be forming a non-profit organization to sue the federal government.
According to Saipan Tribune, Senator Frank Blas Jr. stated that the nation is losing members of the island's greatest generation on an almost daily basis. The senator claimed that the US government should recognize and honor the suffering they endured during WWII.
Sen. Blas and several members of the group conducted a press conference to detail their decision in the lawsuit and further announce the organization they are trying to form. The advocacy will represent the living survivors in the lawsuit.
Guam was the only piece of US soil that was occupied by the enemy forces during WWI aside from the Aleutian Islands and have suffered from Japanese Imperial for two years. PNC News reported that the former special counsel to the US Department of Justice, Carlos Benitez, said the war reparations provided to the citizens of Guam were less than what was provided to other war survivors of the same war. Benitez then underlined that the survivors in Guam were "unfairly" treated.
Mauricio Tamargo, the Chairman of the Guam War Claims Review Commission in 2003, has now agreed to take those cases along with fellow DC Attorney Jeremy Ibrahim and Jason Poblete. Meanwhile, Senator Jim Espaldon said the president and the Congress have provided financial assistance for other causes of action - particularly the holocaust reparations and survivors to the tune of $4 million dollars for each of the US citizens who were held hostage in Iran in 1979.
WWII Survivor and former Lt. Gov. Frank Blas Sr. said that the issue is not about money, but about the recognition for him and other survivors who suffered during the war, reports USA Today. Guam Del. Madeline Bordallo also expressed her support for the lawsuit, adding that she would continue to work her bill in the House of Congress to make sure that the issue will move forward.
The group said that lawsuit will be filed in the nation's capital and fees involved in the legal process will be paid using private funds. The group will begin fundraising and receiving funds to help with the efforts once they are officially formed as nonprofit.
Several groups and people have already made commitments to provide support for the cause. The suit is expected to be filed sometime this year, according to the group.
